TITLE 31.NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

Part 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Chapter 58. OYSTERS AND SHRIMP

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts amendments to §§58.102, 58.150, and 58.160, concerning the Statewide Shrimp Fishery Proclamation; §§58.203, 58.205, 58.206, 58.208, and 58.209, concerning Statewide Crab Fishery Proclamation; and §58.302, concerning the Finfish Fishery Proclamation, without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 30, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6242).

The amendments are necessary as a result of the department's review process under the provisions of Government Code, §2001.039, which requires each state agency to perform a review of all regulations not less than every four years and to either readopt, amend, or repeal each rule as necessary and appropriate. As a result of the review, the department has determined that rulemaking is necessary to remove unnecessary language which is redundant to language in federal regulations, clarify language and terminology, and correct outdated reference dates.

The amendment to §58.102, concerning Definitions, amends the definition of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) by adopting by reference the federal regulation prescribing approved TED devices. The amendment to §58.150, concerning Sale, Purchase, and Handling of Shrimp--General Rules, clarifies that unless a commercial shrimp boat license holder sells his catch to a licensed person required to report the sale to the department, the commercial shrimp boat license holder is required to report the sale to the department. The amendment to §58.160, concerning Taking or Attempting To Take Shrimp (Shrimping)--General Rules, removes redundant language, an expired effective date, and adopts by reference the federal regulations prescribing approved Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD) and Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) required in inside and outside waters. The rationale and justifications for the use of TEDs and BRDs in shrimp trawls is the same as previously stated in the proposed rulemaking published in the July 14, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 6670), which was adopted in the October 6, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 10157). Due to joint law enforcement agreements between state and federal enforcement officials the need to have the language specifically repeated in state law is not deemed necessary.

The amendment to §58.203, concerning Licensing, and §58.205, concerning Display of License, clarifies that crab fishermen are required to have the "display license" rather than a metal "plate" clearly visible from both sides of the boat when fishing. The amendment also allows for the display license to be made from any material. The amendment to §58.206, concerning Issuance and Renewal of Commercial Crab Fisherman's License, removes expired effective dates and enabling language concerning the limited entry program for the crab fishery. The amendment to §58.208, concerning Limit on Number of Licenses Held; Designated License Holder, clarifies that businesses or partnerships must designate a person to hold their license. The amendment to §58.209, concerning License Suspension and Revocation, removes an expired effective date and rewords for clarity's sake the license requirement for crab fishermen.

The amendment to §58.302, concerning Display of License, clarifies that when fishing, finfish fishermen are required to have the "display license" rather than a metal "plate" clearly visible from both sides of the boat. The amendment also allows for the display license to be made from any material.

The amendment to §58.102 will function by replacing a voluminous recapitulation of federal regulations with a citation of the federal regulations governing TEDs.

The amendment to §58.150 will function by removing potential confusion concerning the circumstances under which a commercial shrimp boat license holder must report sales to the department.

The amendment to §58.160 will function by replacing a voluminous restatement of federal regulations with a citation of the federal regulations governing TEDs and BRDs.

The amendments to §58.203 and §58.205 will function by clarifying that commercial crab fishermen are required to have a display license clearly visible from both sides of the boat when fishing.

The amendment to §58.206 will function by eliminating expired effective dates and obsolete language concerning the limited entry program for the crab fishery.

The amendment to §58.208 will function by clarifying that a commercial crab fisherman's license may be issued only to a named individual and not in the name of a business or partnership.

The amendment to §58.209 will function by eliminating an expired effective date and more effectively wording the requirement that crab fishermen must obtain a license.

The amendment to §58.302 will function by clarifying that finfish fishermen are required to have a display license clearly visible from both sides of the boat while fishing.

The department received no comments concerning adoption of the proposed amendments.

Subchapter B. STATEWIDE SHRIMP FISHERY PROCLAMATION

31 TAC §§58.102, 58.150, 58.160

The amendments are adopted under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 61, which provides the commission with authority to regulate the periods of time when it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life and the means, methods, and places in which it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life; Chapter 66, which requires reporting the sale of aquatic product within the state; Chapter 77, which provides the commission with authority to regulate the catching, possession, purchase, and sale of shrimp; and Chapter 78, which requires the commission to adopt any rules necessary for the administration of the crab license management program.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 7, 2006.

TRD-200601490

Ann Bright

General Counsel

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: March 27, 2006

Proposal publication date: September 30, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Subchapter C. STATEWIDE CRAB FISHERY PROCLAMATION

31 TAC §§58.203, 58.205, 58.206, 58.208, 58.209

The amendments are adopted under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 61, which provides the commission with authority to regulate the periods of time when it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life and the means, methods, and places in which it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life, and Chapter 78, which requires the commission to adopt any rules necessary for the administration of the crab license management program.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 7, 2006.

TRD-200601492

Ann Bright

General Counsel

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: March 27, 2006

Proposal publication date: September 30, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Subchapter D. FINFISH FISHERY PROCLAMATION

31 TAC §58.302

The amendment is adopted under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 61, which provides the commission with authority to regulate the periods of time when it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life and the means, methods, and places in which it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 7, 2006.

TRD-200601493

Ann Bright

General Counsel

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: March 27, 2006

Proposal publication date: September 30, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Part 4. SCHOOL LAND BOARD

Chapter 151. OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL LAND BOARD

31 TAC §151.3

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and Texas School Land Board (SLB) adopt the proposed repeal to Chapter 151, Operations of the School Land Board, §151.3 relating to Appraisal Fees: Vacancies and Excess Acreage without changes to the text as published in the December 16, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 8419). The repeal is being adopted to eliminate duplication of agency fees.

The adopted repeal will eliminate the appraisal fees for vacancies and excess acreage currently in 31 TAC §151.3. The GLO recently organized all the fees and costs the agency charges under 31 TAC, Part 1, Chapter 3, General Provisions, §3.31, relating to Fees. The GLO organized the fees and costs under one rule in order to facilitate the public's use of the agency rules and the public's understanding of the fees and costs associated with doing business with the GLO. Upon review of its rules, the GLO found that the appraised fees in 31 TAC §151.3 were redundant of those found in Chapter 3. In a continued effort to maintain and organize its rules to facilitate the public's ease in access and use of its rules, the GLO adopts the repeal of 31 TAC §151.3.

No comments were received regarding the proposed repeal.

The repeal is adopted under authority granted in Texas Natural Resources Code §31.051, which provides the Commissioner of the GLO the authority to make and enforce suitable rules consistent with the law and §32.205, which provides the SLB the authority to adopt rules to carry out Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 32.

Texas Natural Resource Code, Chapters 31, 32 and 51 are affected by the proposed repeal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 13, 2006.

TRD-200601585

Trace Finley

Policy Director, General Land Office

School Land Board

Effective date: April 2, 2006

Proposal publication date: December 16, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1859